Lifting device



Ma 18,1926. v 1,585,325

J. BAMBERGER LIFTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 22, 1924 Patented May 18, 19263.

UNETED STATES JOSEPH BAMBERGEB, or CINCINNATI, OHIO.

LIFTING DEVICE.

Application filed November 22, 1924.

My invention relates to lifting devices and has particular reference to the provision of improved means for lifting heavy scenery in theatres, etc.

In the handling of scenery in theatres, 1t frequently happens that a set is of such weight that it cannot be handled by the available man-power unaided by mechanical means, and it has been the practice in these cases heretofore to send a man up to the rigging lift to attach a block and fall, that is, pulleys, to the scenery ropes, which arrangement by reason of the mechanical advantage from the pulleys, enables the operators to lift the set. I

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device whereby the necessity of employing a man for the attachment of the block and fall to the scenery ropes is obviated.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective of the device at tached to the scenery ropes, the latter being shown in diagrammatic arrangement.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device.

Figure 3 is a central vertical section of the device.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the device with parts broken away.

Figure 5 is a top view of the device.

My new lifting device consists of two clamping members, 1 and 2 respectively. The member 1 consists of a back 3 and sides &i. The upper portion of the sides a are provided with extensions 5 which are perforated to receive a pintle 6. The member 2 comprises a plate 7 having sides 88, the said sides being provided at their upper ends with extensions 9 adapted to fit inside the extensions 5 of the sides 4 of member 1. The extensions 9 have registering perforations for the pintle 6. The pintle 6 is arranged to secure the members 1 and 2 together hingedly, and said pintle is removably secured in the assembly by means of a wing nut 10, thereby permitting the ready disassembly of the parts for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The member 1 is provided with gripping ribs 11, 12, and 13 respectively. The rib 11 is provided with a number of notches 14, either four or live preferably, said number being determined, however, by the maximum number of the scenery Serial No. 1,419.

set ropes with which the device is to be used. The ribs 11, 12 and 13 are of diminishing height, as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The member 2 is provided with co-operating gripping ribs 15, 16, and 17, said ribs being arranged on the member 2 to cooperate respectively with the ribs 11, 12 and 13, and the ribs 15, 16, and 17 are, in the order named, of increasing height so as to complement the ribs 11, 12, and 13. The respective pairs of co-operating gripping ribs are off-set, as clearly shown in Figure 3. 1

By reason of the varying height of the several ribs and the arrangement thereof, the free pivotal action of the members about the pintle 6 is provided for. The upper portion of the back 3 of member 1 is provided with an opening 18 located on the vertical axis of the member. The back 3 of member 1 and plate 7- of member 2 are provided with substantially registering openings 19 and 20 also arranged on the vertical axis of the device. The lower portion of the plate 7 of member 2 is provided further with an opening 21 on its vertical axis. All of said openings are provided for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

In Figure 1 the ropes 22, 23, 24 and 25 go to the scenic set on the stage which is to be handled. The lower ends of said ropes (at the lower left hand side of the sheet of drawings) are at the point where the opertors are located, that is, what is known as the tie floor. Above, the ropes pass over pulleys 26 and individual pulleys 27, 28, 29, and 30, in the rigging loft. When the available man-power is insufficient conveniently to operate the ropes 22, 23, 2a, and 25 to lift the scene, the clamping members 1 and 2 are assembled in connection with said ropes, the ropes passing through the notches 14 in the upper rib 11, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The lift rope 31 passing over a pulley 32 in the rigging loft (which rope was heretofore employed for lifting an o erator to attach the block and fall to t e ropes 22, etc.) is secured at its free end in the opening 18 of the member 1. A rope 33 is inserted through the openings 19 and 20 of the clamping members and knotted as shown at 34; said rope is of such dimension as to slide freely through the opening 19. The block and fall 35 which is to be raised for the purpose of operating the ropes 22, etc, is secured in the opening 21 of the member 2. So long the clamping members 1 and 2 are in open position, asshown in Figure 2 of the scenerv ro )es isshown 'rin iedbetween.

the ribs the ndl on re 36.36 raises the scenic set. by pullingdown on thelittingdevice.in. the usual'manner and-in accordance with the.

law of the pulley.

it will he undersrooutnat t e device above described, while part cularly re'ferr d. to in connection with. usem theatres for lifting.

heavy. scenic sets, isalso anapted to various other uses, and that. modifications. within the sp rit; and scope oiithe abovev disclosure and thelap iended claims may be made in.

order to, adapt the same, to such. specific duties.

Having thusiully described my invention,

what I; claim as new and desire. to. securev by Letters Patent is:

1. A. littingdevice, comprising apair. of clamping.members arranged .to be as: slidably. on a rope, means for. seer pulley to said' members, said members along said rope whcrch: they are arranged ;to.conve .saidpulley for the operationjof said rope, and, means clamping. said members upon said rope.

2. A. lifting device, comprising a p ir of clamping.inembers, means forhing'ed y an semblingsaid members slidably. upon arope, means for. securing. a pulley to said menibers, means forliftinp; saidimembers along.

saidropewhereby they are arranged to con: veysald pulley for operation ofsald rope,

The operator then pulls 0.1'1.

mbled. mg means. for lifting.

for.

and means for clamping. said members upon said rope. i

3. A lifting device comprising a pair of clamping members, means for hingedly assembling said members slidably upon a rope, means whereby said device is arranged to convey pulleys for the operation of said rope, arope arranged to enn'aa'e the free end of one of said members thr @h an opening in the other member whereby said members maybe clamped upon said first iope, andribs on saidunemhers arranged-to grip said first rope when said members are closed.

i. A lifting devicecomprising a pair of clamping members, each. of said ineinb 2 being provided-with gripping. ribs, the upper rib of; one of said members being providcdv with, notches to pro ide pastage for ropes, means for hingedly se airing said members together upon said ropes, said membe being arranged to be maintained gravitationallyinopen position, means tor raising said members when is open position along said ropes, whereby s id device is arranged to lift. pulleys for the operation. oi said ropes, and means arranged to clamp said ribs uponsaid ropes.

5. A lifting device comprisinga pair oi clamping members, each oi said members beigjprovided withgrippingribs the upperrib of; one 01"? saidmemhers being provided with notches to provide passage for ropes, means for hingedly securingsaid members together upon said ropes, said members. being arranged to .be maintained gravitationally in open. position, means :5 r raising said members when in open position alongsaid-ropes, whereby. said device is arranged to lift pulleys for the operation of saidlropes, and a rope arranged to engage the free end of one of saidinemhers through an openi ng in the other member, whereby a pullupon. said'rope is arranged to, -1amp said members upon. said first mentioned ropes.

' JOSEPH- BAMBERGER; 

